25 walkers obviously felt that a cold, frosty but sunny day was right for a 7¼ mile circular tour, led by Vic & Sandra Smith, of some of the industrial and transport relics – and attractive scenery – that the area around Llanymynech has to offer. Starting from the Montgomery Canal towpath in the centre of Llanymynech, this was followed towards Welshpool for a short distance to Walls Bridge where a lane and a bridleway were followed north to join the Offa’s Dyke Path on the edge of the Golf Course at Asterley Rocks. The ODP was followed along the ridge to the point where it descends to Port-y-Waen, the group continuing on the high ground of the ridge formed by Blodwell Rock, pausing at the view-points for a coffee break and to admire the Tanat Valley and the hills beyond. There followed a steep descent off the ridge to the main A495 road where our ‘guest’, Chris Parker of the Wales Group of Railway Ramblers provided some details of the interesting and complex railway history of the area. With specific prior permission from the Cambrian Heritage Railways, the ‘mothballed ’railway track was followed in the area of Whitehaven, stopping to note points of historic interest and to chat with volunteers busy clearing the vegetation that has encroached during years of disuse since trains ceased to connect Blodwell Quarry to Oswestry and Gobowen. Though not the first working station that the Welshpool Ramblers have used for a lunch stop, this was the first time the delightful replica station at Llynclys South had been visited, again, with the generous prior permission of CHR (www.cambrianrailways.com). Closed to the public for the winter, the site nevertheless had volunteers at work on the many tasks that are required for railway preservation. The railway was left for an earlier form of transport when the group made its way to the Montgomery Canal at Crickheath Wharf, part of the system that awaits restoration. The towpath was followed back to Llanymynech, passing a large group of Canal restoration volunteers who, like their railway preservation colleagues, were busy hedge-laying and clearing vegetation from the Canal bed and banks. Just before the end of the walk, the Canal was once again ‘in water’, the narrow boat George William Buck, named after the Canal’s engineer and operated by the Duchess Countess Trust, from the Wharf Visitor Centre being the sole vessel on this section of the Canal.
Geoff McLean will lead a 7mile ‘moderate’ grade walk from Clun on Sunday January 29th. Starting from the Memorial Hall car park at 10.15 am ( Grid Ref: SO 302 811 – not the CP near Clun Bridge), the circular route will follow mostly footpaths and tracks to the Castle, the River Unk, Bicton, Colstey Wood and Guilden Down. Meet at Welshpool Church Street car park at 9.30 am (please note the revised meeting time that will apply for most weeks), from where shared transport may be available, or at the start of the walk. All welcome, but no dogs on the walk please. Further information can be obtained on 01686 688465.
Advance notice is given for the walk on Sunday, February 12th which will be in Breidden area.
